Flushing apparatus for water-closet bowls or hoppers.



W. E. SNAMAN. FLUSHING APPARATUS ron WATER cLosBT BowLs 0B HoPPBBs.

.APPLIOATIUI FILED HOV. 3, 1908.

2 sn'n T13-SHEET 1.

Patented Nov.23, 1909.

W. E. SNAMAN. FLUSHING APPARATUS FOB WATER GLQSET BOWLS 0B HOPPEBS. APPLICATION FILED NO-V. 3, 1908.

941,283. Patented N0v.23,1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

To all whomz't may concern.'` I

. ism.

in this mediate iushing will UNTED` STATES PATENT oFFioE.

WILLIAM E. SNAMAN, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

. *FLUsHrNG APPARATUS Fon wATEIacLosET BowLs on HoPPERs.

E. SNAMAN,

Be it known that I, WILLIAM America, re-

a citizen of the United States of 'siding at Pittsburg, gheuy and State of Penns lvania, have invented certain new and usefpul Im rovements in Flushing Apparatus for l ater-Closet Bowls or Hoppers, of which the ,following is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying,-r drawing.

This invention relates to a flushing apparatus for water closet bowls or' hoppers, and the object of my invention is to provide a novel a paratus for insurin a positive flushing of a bowl or hopper, without creating a noise, a displacement of the mechanism, or failure of the mechanism to establish communication between the Water contained within the tank and the flushing apparatus.

My invention aims to cprovide a combination @seat-action and pull-lever apparatus that can be embodied within a'tank for controlling the inlet of water to thetank and the dischar e of the same. To this end, I have provided in connection with a flush tank, a novel by-path for establishing a direct communication between the ,water in the tank and the down pipe thereof, whereby when the apparatus is actuated, an imbe accomplished with-- out the .slipping or dropping of a mechan- Considerable trouble has heretofore been experienced with the flushing apparatus connection, often necessitating a second actuation of the apparatus to accomplish the ushing of a bowl or hopper, due principallyvto the fact that the valves contrplling thepassage'of Water between a tank and the bowl are vnot sufficiently opened to allow the water t'o make headway and main# tain the valves in an open position. Another defect, particularly in connection with seat action liushing apparatus, is a failure on the part of the apparatus to operate due to the connection between the seat and the mechanism within the flushing tank, requiring oftentimes a considerable movement A of the seat'to'properly place the flushing apparatus in operation. A

My invention aims to obvia-te the/above defects by the employment` of a by-path, novel valves, and a simple and effective leverage mechanismv for positively opening Specification of Letters Patent. Application led November 3, 1908. Serial No.v460,897.

in the county lof Alle- `made of Patented Nov. as, 1909.

and closin of Valves to controlthe passage of Water tjiiom the tank to the bowl or hopper.

'An important characteristic of my inven-` tion are the valves which I employ in my preferred from, these valves being of a Hoat type limited in movement by ca es designed for preventing accidental displacement of the valves, whereby the mechanism or pressure of Water open the same.

I Vit-h the above and other objects in View which will readily appear as the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, ment of parts to claimed. l

In the drawings, Figure lA is a vertical sectional view of a iushing apparatus con- .structed in accordance with my invention, partly broken away, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical ,sectional view of aflushingtank of a modified form, Fig. 3 is a plan of the same, Fig. 4 -is an elevation of a modified form of valve, Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the preferred form of tank illustrated in) Fig. l of the drawings, Fig. 6 is a plan ofthe same, and Fig. 7 is a plan of a modified form of tank.

In the accompanying drawings 1 designates a Hoor supporting a hopper or bowl 2 be described and then of the ordinary and well known type; upon the rear edge of this bowl is hinged, as at 3 a seat 4 and a lid 5. Abovethe bowl 2 are arranged Abrackets or other suitable'support 6 for a flushing tank 7 this tank being made of a suitable water proof material.- In some instances, thetank can be made of wood or metal and suitably lined, as shown in Fig. 2,

combination and arrange-l Whilein other instances, the tank -can be tically to ing the same in accordance with my invention and to present a neat and sanitary appearance.

porcelain or pottery ware, prac-A reduce the expense of manufactur-A Assuming that the tank is made of por- -said tank adjacent to the bottom 8 thereof is provided with a horizontal partition. 9 providing a by-path l0, this by-path centrally of the tank communicating with a .down pipe or Hush pipe 11 through the medium of an interiorly threaded nipple 12 into which the upper end of-the down pipe is threaded. The down pipe is provided celain,

lof said pipeaconnects with -this opening an bottom 8 of the tank is a transverse partidepending the water level ofthe tion 17 closing one end of-'the lbly-path 10 from commumcation with the ta whereby anactuating rod 18 can extend uplw'ardl through the 'by-path 10 and into t e ta within a casin l19 formin of the tank. 'l e lower en of the actuating rod 18 is adaptedv to -restin a .socket 20 pro vided therefor in the end of a rearwardly extending arm 21 carried by the seat 4 of the bowl 2. i

The up er end of therod 18 is adjustably connecte as at 22 to a lever 23 arran lon 'tudnally within or at the rear ofthe ta lu 24 carried by the tank. i

he inner sides of the tank 7 are provlded with bearings 25 for a rock shaft 26 having ,a cross arm- 27. One end of this cross arm 27 extends over the housing 15 and vis provided with a curved guide 28 and a depending chain or cable 29.' Up of the chain or cable 29 1s a cage 30 for a spherical float or ball 31 which may 'be termed generally a by-path valve ada ted to seat upon thenipp e 12 and -shut o the communication between the by-path 10 and the down pipe 11. n The o posite end of the cross arm 27 1s provide with a curved guide 32 and with a chain or cable 33. Connected to the lower-end of the chain or cable 33 is'an oblon 'cage 34 for a spherical iloat or ball 35 w 'ch mayI be termed generally a tank valve, this float bein normally sup orted by an annular seat 36 orming part o lthe ca e 34. The float 35 is adapted, to norma y close the inlet opening 16, and the object of the annular seat 36 is toprevent water within the tank from accidentally displacing said float. f The cross arm 27 is provided with a ri ht anular extension 37 extending over the ee en of the lever 23, this free end of the lever detachablecounter weight 38 for a that will hereinafter ap ear. Enunder the extension 37 o the cross is the beveled end 39 of a 'lever 40 having a purpose fulcrumed between brackets 41 carried by Aone end of the tank. This lever, together.

with the lever 23 and cross arm 27 .are above tank, and the said the lower -end the Y part 'of one side and pivotally connected at one end toon the lower end- `the same.

I lever 40 is adapted to protrude the end of the tank whereby said lever can beactuated by a chain or cable connected thereto.

The tank 7 is provided with a suitable waiter inlet pi having a valve 42 controlled by a spherlca float 43 connected by a rod n-the usual manner with said Avalve for opening and closing the same. Thisvalve and float is of the ordinary form used with the resent type of J flushing apparatus.

T e o ration of my aparatus as above describ is as follows e movement of the seat 4relative to the bowl 2 is suiiicient when the seat is depressed, to elevate. the rod 18, but the movement of said seat is hardly erceptible to a person lowering the same. hen the rodv 18 is elevated, the lever 23 israised,` together with the extension 37 ofthe arm 27, causn the shaft 26 to rock. Thelong leverage o the lever 23 actuates the mechanism with a. very slight movement of the seat 4.' When the'arm 27 is rocked, the float 31 vis lowered, to seat on the nipple 12 and -close the outlet, and therloat 35 is elevated to open the opening 16;. the water within` the tank 7 can then How throu h the opening 16 into the bypath 10 an into the housmg 15 until it assumes a level within the housing 15 and the tank 7. It is impossible for the water within the by-path- 10 to disgllgce the ball 31 as said ball is confined wit but the inrush of water through the opening 16 immediately givesthe f loat 35 suiicientl impetus to rise within the cage 34 and the float is confined within this cage until the water within the tank 7 and the housing 15 recedes. When the seat. is relieved of the weight of a person the detachable wei ht 38 of t e lever 23 immediately lowers sai lever and the rod- 18 and elevates the seat 4 to its normal position. The lowering' movement :of the lever 23 immediately lowers the cage 34 and elevates the .cage 30 carrying with it the float 31. The water within the by-path 10, housing 15, andtank 7 is placed in comwater lowers and c oses against the opening 16. Simultaneouslywith the lowering of the float 35, the float 43 is lowered and upon reaching a certain position within the tank, it opens the valve 42 allowing water to enter the tank 7. This fresh supply of water the cage 30,-

munication with the down pipe 11 and will The float 35 which has been/oatcannot enter the housingsl, as the'iloat 43 closes the valve 42 upon reaching a certain elevation, and neither can the fresh supply of water affect the float 35 as theseat 36 shields the iloatr35 a ainst such lateral dis; lacement as would a ow the waterto pass low the float 35 and so make the pressure on it uniform and start its buoyant action.

When the lever 23 is actuated by the rod 18,

the lever 40 is inactive, but this lever can at any `t-imelbe :used for elevating the extension 37 and actuate the ioats 31 and 35.'

A modification of my invention is shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, wherein the cas- `ing'19 4is dispensed with, and the lever 23,

rod 18, and lever 40 arearranged outside thetank, preferably at .the rear thereof, sufficient space being provided between the tank and the wall or other support to provide a clearance for said levers. In this instance, the extension 37 extends through an openmg 44 provldedtherefor in the rear =fwall of the tank. The housing l5 can be made'an integral part` of the rear wall of the tank and the opening 16 and the nipple 12 `arranged in accordance therewith.

lar material andA is located upon the bottom of the tank 45, said tank havinga lsuitable lining and a down pipe connection 46.`

In lieu of the spherical floats 31 and 35,`

I use ta ering plugsor valves 47'and 48, the former eing adapted to seat in the bottom of the tank 45 and close the down pipe con-` nection, while the latter closes the o ening 16 of the by-path. In connection with the detachable by-path 10,- I use Va .Siphon 49 having one end communicating with the by path and the opposite end extending in proximity to the bottom of the tank. The casing 19 in this instance is also detachable whereby it can. be secured to the bottom of the tank according to where the rod 18 enters said tank. The lever 23 and the remainder of the mechanism is identical for moving the plugs or valves 47 and 48.

The operation in connection with the detachable by-pathis as follows: When.- the seat 4 is moved to rock the arm 27, the plug or valve 47 closes the down pipe connection and the plug or valve 48 admits water through the opening 16 vto the by-path -and the housing carried thereby. Upon the Seat being released, the plug or valve 47 is elevated and the plug or valve 48 is lowered. The water withinthe bypath and the casing l5 passing into the down pipe immediately sets up a siphon actionthat causes the waterA within the tank to pass through the siphon 49 into the by-path 10, and down pipe to the bowl 2. r v.

7In lieu of the cages 30 and 34, I vcan use a stirrup 50 as shown in Fig. 4 of thedraw` ings.

The spherical floats 31 and 35 can bemade lever,

of rubber and hermetically sealed, wherebysaid iioats will have suiiicient buoyanc to beeii'ected by the volume of water contained within the tank.

I desire to call attention tothe fact that the least upward movement of' th'eseat 4 will immediately cause a communication to be established between the by-path 10 and the down-pipe and it is impossible for the mechanism to slip or trip and necessitate a second actuation of the seat.

Since rod 18 is not connected with the rearwardly-extending arm 21, but merely rests normally in engagement therewth, it will be evident that the seat may be raised at will to permit cleansing ofthe bowl, etc.

The cages 34 and 30 permit of the ioat valves revolving or shifting, whereby saidv float valves will be subjected to'an even wear. The stirrup 50 is .designed for the same purpose but not to that extent as the 'cages 30 and 34.

While in thedrawings forming part of this application there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of my invention, vI would have it understoodth'at the structural details thereof can be varied or changed as to 'the shape, proportion and vmanner of assemblage, without departing from Vthe spirit of the invention. y

Having now described my invention what I claim as new, is z- 1. In a flushing apparatus, the combina-4 tion with a bowl having a hinged seat, of a tank communicating with said bowl by a down pipe, said tank having a 'horizontal partition formed ltherein adjacent to the,

bottom thereof and providing a bypath adapted to normally communicate with saidl bowl, a housing carried by said partition, said partition having -a water inlet opening formed therein, a casing arranged within said tank, a rod extending downwardly through said casing and adapted to be actuated by a lowering movement offsaid seat. a weighted lever pivotally mounted in said tank and connecting with said rod, a transverse shaft journaled in said tank, a cross arm carried by said shaft and having an extension adapted to be engaged by said a cage suspended from one end of said cross arm within said housing, a spherical fioat arranged within said cage and adapted to close the communication between said bowl andsaid bypath, a cagesuspended from the opposite end of said cross arm, a-,movable spherical iioat arranged within said cage and adapted to close the inlet opening of said partition, and` a lever pivotally mounted in said tank and extending outside l tion with a bowl having va hi/gbedseabf a".

. opening formed and mg, a spherical fio'at arranged withinsaid partition,

cage for controlling the communication between said bypath and said bowl, an oblong cage'- suspended from the lo posite end 'of .v saidjcross arm, a-movable sp' erical float arranged within said cage forcontrolling the communication between said tank and said bypath, and a lever pivot-ally mounted'within said tank and extending outside thereof for moving saidcross armindependently of the seat'action. of said bowl.

3.*In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a bowl having a hinged seat, of a tank communicating with -said bowl, a horizontal partition arranged in said tank and providin a by ath adapted to communicate with sai bow, a houslng carried by said partitiomsaid partition having an inlet opening formed therein establishing communication between said tank and said bypath, a lever pivotally mounted insaid tank uand .adapted to be actuated by a movement of said seat, a cross arm fulcrumed within said tank vand having an extenslon for engaging said lever, a cage suspended from one end of saidfcross arm within said housing, a spherical fioat arranged within said cage for controlling the communication between said bypath and said bowl, an oblong cage suspended. fromthe opposite end of sai-d cross arm, and a movable spherical-oat arranged within said'cage for controlling the communication between said tank and said bypath. I

4, In a flushing apparatus, the combina- .tion with a bowl having a hinged seat, ofa

tank communicating therewith, a horizontal artition arranged 1n said tank and providing a bypath, a confined spherical float for 4controlling the communication between said bypath and said. bowl, a movable spherical ioatpfor controlling the communication between said tank and said bypath, a fulcrumed cross arm for alternately moving v .said floats, anda leverage mechanism actusaid cross arm.

ated by the seat of said bowl formoving Aanion mima-mm .haring seat action im'. q'nkrollhgthedniisipxt df water to said bowl, of a tank, said tank having a bypath formed therein adapted to communicate with said bowl, spherical floats forcontrolling the communication betweensaid b ath and said bowl, and the said bypath an said tank, means for limiting the movement of said fioats, and a levera e mechanism actuated by the seat action o said bowl for alternately moving said floatsto first establish communication between said bypathand said tank andthen establish communication between said vbypath and bowl,

whereby water can pass from said tank directly toV s aid bowl. L

. 6. lA tank for flushing bowls, comprising in combination a vbypath communicating with said bowl, alternately actuated floats controlling the communication between'the bypath and the bowl and the communication between the bypath and the tank,and means for confining said floats, said means normally holding one of said floats while the other of said floats is permitted to move relative to the first mentioned float.

7, In a iiushing apparatus', the combination with a bowl having a hinged seat, of a tank communicating with said bowl by'a down pipe, said tank havin a horizontal partition formed therein a jacent to the bottom thereof and providing a bypath l ada ted to normally communicate with said bow, a housing carried by said` partition, said partition having a water inlet opening formed therein, a casing arranged within said tank, a rod extending downwardly through said casing and adapted to be actuated by a lowering movement of said seat, a weighted lever 'pivotally mounted -in the back of said tank and connecting with said rod, a transverse shaft journaled in' said tank, a cross arm carried by said` shaft and having an extension adapted to be engaged by said lever, a plug suspended from one end of said cross arm within said housing and adaptedto close the communication be-v4 tween said bowl and bypath, a cage suspended from the opposite end ofsaid cross arm,

a movable sphericall float arranged within said cage and adapted to close the inlet o ening of said partition, and a lever pivota ly mounted insaid tank and extending outside thereof for moving said cross arm independently of the first mentioned lever and the rod connecting therewith.

8. In a flushing apparatus, a tank, a bypath therein, a tank valve normally closing the by-patli against the flow of water from the tank whereby the by-path is normally empty, the outlet for the water from said tank being through said by-path, a by-path valve normally unseated whereby the outlet from the by-path is normally open', a rock connections' between ried by said rock shaft, and the` tank the -e'ndsl of said cross arm In testimony whleoif4 arx my signature in the presence of tw'wifn'esses.

WLLIAM E. SNAMAN.

5 free end underlyingthe said extension of the cross arm for engagement therewith when actuated to operate the valves.

Witnesses MAX H. SRoLoVITz,

AGNES J. TBIGG. 

